2PM is one of the two subgroups branched out from the eleven-member (before Jaebeom’s departure) boy band One Day, the other being 2AM. They debuted with the song “10 Jeom Manjeome 10 Jeom” (10점 만점에 10점, lit. 10 Points Out of 10 Points), which showcased their acrobatic dance styles. They achieved their first No. 1 song with “Again & Again”.

Pre-Debut

The members of 2PM all auditioned (except Nichkhun, who was scouted[3]) to become part of JYP Entertainment, to which the Wonder Girls & 2AM also belong. Some members held their auditions in other countries; for example, Park Jaebeom auditioned in the United States. Other members already had experience in the entertainment industry prior to their acceptance into JYP Entertainment, such as Kim Junsu, who had won various singing competitions, and Ok Taecyeon, Lee Junho and Hwang Chansung, who had participated in the show ‘SuperStar Survival’.

2PM’s and 2AM‘s training days were filmed in a documentary called Hot Blood Men, which aired on Mnet. The show documented the time by time training program of the JYP trainees who were to be part of the group “One Day”, as well as the elimination of three trainees from the group during the time.

The group was first mentioned by the press in late 2008, YG Entertainment announced that the group would consist of four members and debut sometime in May 2009.The company stated that the group had trained for 4 years, and that their debut album would contain songs produced by 1TYM Leader Teddy Park.The group’s name was initially announced as “21”; however, due to the discovery of a singer with the same name, the group was quickly renamed “2NE1”

K-pop (an abbreviation of Koreanpop or Korean popular music) is a musical genre consisting of electronic, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&B music originating in South Korea. In addition to music, K-pop has grown into a popular subculture among teenagers and young adults throughout Asia, resulting in widespread interest in the fashion and style of Korean idol groups and singers.

Through the presence of Facebook fan pages, availability on iTunes, Twitter profiles, and music videos on YouTube, the ability of K-pop to reach a previously inaccessible audience via the Internet is driving a paradigm shift in the exposure and popularity of the genre.